"At the end of the year, those are huge in determining who wins the division," Harbaugh said Friday.

The 49ers have shut out the Rams in two of their past three visits, including last season's 26-0 rout that clinched the NFC West for the 49ers with four regular-season games remaining.

Although the 49ers won 35-0 in 2009, the Rams battled to a 23-20 overtime loss in 2010.

During the stretch of 11 straight division wins at home, the 49ers defense has allowed only 11 touchdowns, and only two of the rushing variety. A Seahawks kickoff return accounts for the only other touchdown allowed.

"They're always physical games and great battles," left tackle Joe Staley said. "I always get excited to play them, and you're always familiar with the guy you're going against."

Staley primarily will block Robert Quinn, a second-year defensive end who leads the Rams with seven sacks.

"He's having a good season," Staley said. "He's got good get-off, he's strong and he understands the game."

Advertisement

Four-star Army Gen. Bob Cone spoke to the 49ers after practice, much to Harbaugh's approval. "He talked about what his soldiers do in Afghanistan and how big of fans they are of the NFL," Harbaugh said. "He spoke about the dedication of his soldiers and their loyalty to their country, to their team and to the fight they're in. It was a great message for us."

Harbaugh's appreciation for the military has been well documented, and he knows where the correlation stops between war and sports. "We don't compare what we do. We honor the military," Harbaugh said. "We know their fight is life and death. It's different from what we do."

Sunday's "Salute to Service" celebration will include an F-18 flyover from Naval Air Station Lemoore, the swearing-in of new Army soldiers, a veterans' tribute and a Wounded Warriors presentation. The U.S. Army drill team will perform at halftime, and Navy counselor Steven Powell will sing the national anthem﻿.

Asked if the extensive list comes in response to the league's crackdown on injury reports, Harbaugh said: "I wash my hands of all list making. It's done strictly by the doctors and trainers."

The Rams flew Friday to the Bay Area, the first time they've traveled two days ahead of a game since Scott Linehan was their coach in 2006 and 2007, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jim Thomas.

Danny Amendola, the Rams' leading receiver, expects to return from a three-game absence caused by a separated collarbone. He's listed as questionable but told the Post-Dispatch he feels "great" about a potential return. Amendola has 32 receptions for 395 yards and two touchdowns.